Vibrating weight bar

ABSTRACT

Weight bars are disclosed that provide an enhanced workout. Specifically, weight bars of the present invention include a vibration mechanism that creates a vibration in the weight bar. Weight bars of the present invention can be configured to be held in one hand or in both hands. Additionally, the weight bars of the present invention can include a rechargeable power source for the vibration mechanism. While not in use, the weight bars of the present invention can rest on a base member. The base member may include a charging plug that mates with the charging port such that the power source for the vibration mechanism can recharge while resting on the base member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The present disclosure generally concerns weightlifting exerciseequipment. More specifically, the present disclosure concerns exerciseweight bars that vibrate.

2. The Relevant Technology

Exercise weight bars including dumbbells and barbells are well known inthe art and are widely used as part of weight-based exercise training.For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/847,813 titled“Weightlifting Device with Mechanism for Disengaging Weight Plates,”which is incorporated herein by this reference, discloses an exerciseweight bar. Recent research indicates that creating a vibration in aweight bar while a person is using the weight bar in a training exercise(commonly referred to as “vibration training”) can greatly increase thequality of the exercise. Among other benefits, vibration training mayincrease blood flow, which can speed up recovery from a workout orrehabilitation from an injury. An increase in blood flow may also helpto bring restorative nutrients to muscle cells and aid in the removal ofmetabolic waste from muscle cells.

Creating a weight bar having a vibration that is sufficiently strong toachieve these benefits can be difficult. For example, the mechanism thatcreates the desired vibration may be large and interfere with a use ofthe weight bar. In addition, the weight of the vibration mechanism maycreate an imbalance in the weight bar. Thus, an improved vibratingweight bar is needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Weight bars of the present invention vibrate in order to provide anenhanced workout. Weight bars of the present invention can be configuredto be held by a user in one hand or in both hands. Additionally, theweight bars of the present invention can include a rechargeable powersource for the vibration mechanism.

In one exemplary embodiment, an exercise weight bar can include a handlehaving a first end, a second end, and a central axis that extendsbetween the first and second ends. A first cavity that is linked to afirst end of the handle can at least partially define a first interiorspace. The first cavity can at least partially enclose battery contactsor a battery. A second cavity that is linked to a second end of thehandle can at least partially define a second interior space. The secondcavity can be linked to the second end of the handle and at leastpartially enclosing a motor and an eccentric weight. The motor can bepowered by the battery and the eccentric weight can be rotatable by themotor about the axis of the handle and can have a center of mass that isradially offset from the axis of the handle.

In another embodiment, an exercise weight bar can include a handlehaving a central axis, a first end and a second end. A first cavity thatis linked to the first end of the handle can at least partially define afirst interior space. A second cavity that is linked to the second endof the handle can at least partially define a second interior space. Theweight bar can further comprise a vibration assembly, which includesbattery contacts that is at least partially enclosed within the firstcavity, a battery that is at least partially enclosed within the firstcavity, a motor that is at least partially enclosed within the secondcavity, a first gear that is at least partially enclosed within thesecond cavity, a second gear that is at least partially enclosed withinthe second cavity, and an eccentric weight that is at least partiallyenclosed within the second cavity. To create a vibration, the eccentricweight can have a center of mass that is radially offset from the axisabout which it rotates.

In yet another embodiment, a weight bar system can include a weight barand a base member. The weight bar can include a handle having a firstend, a second end, and an axis extending therebetween. A first cavitycan be linked to the first end of the handle and at least partiallydefine a first interior space. A second cavity can be linked to thesecond end of the handle and at least partially define a second interiorspace. The weight bar can also include a vibration assembly, which caninclude a rechargeable battery at least partially enclosed within thefirst cavity, a charging port that is in electric communication with thebattery allowing the battery to be recharged without being removed fromthe first cavity, a motor at least partially enclosed within the secondcavity, and an eccentric weight at least partially enclosed within thesecond cavity. The eccentric weight can have a center of mass that isradially offset from the axis about which it rotates. The base membercan support the weight bar while the weight bar is not being used. Thebase member can also have a charging plug that is configured to matewith the charging port on the weight bar so that the battery can becharged while the weight bar is resting on the base member.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. Thefeatures and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained bymeans of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out inthe appended claims. These and other features of the present inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following description andappended claims or may be learned by the practice of the invention asset forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of thepresent invention, a more particular description of the invention willbe rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vibrating weight bar system,including a weight bar and a base member, according to one exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the weight bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a motor, gears, and aneccentric weight for use within a weight bar; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the base member of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Weight bars of the present invention vibrate in order to provide anenhanced workout. Weight bars of the present invention can be configuredto be held by a user in one hand or in both hands. Additionally, theweight bars of the present invention can include a rechargeable powersource for the vibration mechanism.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an exercise weightbar can be configured to be held by a user in one hand. One or morecavities can be linked to the handle. The one or more cavities can atleast partially enclose a vibration assembly that is configured tocreate a vibration in the weight bar. A vibration assembly may include abattery, a motor, one or more gears, and an eccentric weight. Thebattery may be rechargeable and be in electric communication with acharging port. The weight bar can be configured to rest on a basemember, which is shaped to receive the weight bar when not in use. Thebase member can further include a charging plug that mates with thecharging port to recharge the battery in the vibration assembly.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a vibrating weight bar system 100.Vibrating weight bar system 100 can include a weight bar 110 and a basemember 180, on which the weight bar can rest while it is not in use.Weight bar 110 includes a handle 114 and a vibration assembly (describedin more detail hereafter). and one or more weight plates 140. Handle 114includes a first cavity 112 a, a second cavity 112 b, a first weightplate mount 116 a and second weight plate mount 116 b. These handleportions may be integrally formed as a single unit, or they may beseparate components. Handle 114 also includes a longitudinal axis thatextends through the handle. The longitudinal axis may be through thecenter of handle 114 or offset from the center of handle 114. One ormore weight plates 140 can be selectively secured to first and secondweight plate mounts 116 a, 116 b.

One will appreciate that a handle (e.g., 114) can vary in size andshape. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, handle 114 includes aportion sized to be gripped in one hand of a user. That is, exerciseweight bar 110 is configured as a dumbbell with a portion of handle 114being generally sized in length and circumference to be held by onehand. In other embodiments of the present invention, a handle may besized to be held by two hands, such as a barbell for use in performingtwo-handed exercises, such as bench press, curls, etc. Further, anexercise weight bar according to the present invention may be configuredas a barbell with a handle that is sized to be held by two hands. Onewill also appreciate that handle 114 may be bent or curved toaccommodate various weight training exercises.

Handle 114 can also include an outer grip portion 118. Grip 118 canassist in providing a slip-resistant grip for a user during an exercise.For example, grip 118 can include a textured surface or it can be madefrom a non-slip material, such as rubber or foam.

A handle can also include one or more cavities. For example, handle 114includes a first cavity 112 a and a second cavity 112 b. First andsecond cavities 112 a and 112 b can be an integral part of handle 114 orthey can be formed separately from, and securely affixed to handle 114.One will appreciate that when first and second cavities 112 a and 112 bare formed separately from handle 114, first and second cavities 112 aand 112 b can be mounted, attached, coupled, or otherwise joinedtogether.

First and second cavities 112 a, 112 b can have a variety of differentshapes and sizes. For example, first and second cavities 112 a, 112 bcan be cylindrical and have rounded outer surfaces. In otherembodiments, first and second cavities 112 a, 112 b can have flat outersurfaces. For example, cavities 112 a and 112 b may be cube shaped. Inaddition to shape, first and second cavities 112 a and 112 b can have avariety of different sizes. The size of first and second cavities 112 aand 112 b may be determined, in part, by the size of a vibrationassembly (discussed in more detail hereafter) that the cavitiesaccommodate.

In addition, first and second cavities 112 a, 112 b can, at leastpartially, define interior spaces (e.g., 120 a and 120 b). FIG. 2provides a cross-sectional view of weight bar 110 in which first andsecond interior spaces 120 a and 120 b can be seen. In the illustratedembodiment, first cavity 112 a defines first interior space 120 a andsecond cavity 112 b defines second interior space 120 b. First andsecond interior spaces 120 a and 120 b can be used to enclose in wholeor in part a vibration assembly.

The vibration assembly illustrated in FIG. 2 includes battery contacts121, a battery 122, a motor 124, two gears 126 and 128, and an eccentricweight 130. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the artthat a vibration assembly may include additional or different componentsfrom those illustrated in FIG. 2 to create a desired vibration.

FIG. 2 illustrates that battery 122 is enclosed within first interiorspace 120 a. Battery 122 can be any number of different batteries. Forexample, battery 122 can be a lithium-ion battery, an alkaline battery,or another type of battery. Battery contacts 121 can be any contactsthat are configured to connect to any type of battery. Battery 122 canalso be rechargeable. In order to recharge battery 122, the battery canbe removed from first cavity 112 a and connected to an externalrecharging device. Alternatively, battery 122 can be configured to berecharged while remaining within first cavity 112 a. For example,battery 122 can be in electric communication with a charging port 123.As will be discussed in greater detail below in connection with FIG. 4,charging port 123 can be compatible with any number of differentcharging plugs.

In other embodiments, battery 122 may not be rechargeable. Inembodiments where the battery is not rechargeable, the cavity thatcontains the battery can include a door that provides access to thebattery so that a user can disconnect the battery from the batterycontacts and replace the depleted battery with a new one.

Second interior space 120 b includes a motor 124, a first gear 126, asecond gear 128, and an eccentric weight 130. Battery 122 is in electriccommunication with motor 124 through a wire 132. Wire 132 can passthrough a hollow chamber within handle 114 that connects first interiorspace 120 a with second interior space 120 b. In alternative embodimentsof the present invention, wire 132 can connect battery 122 with motor124 without passing through handle 114.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, differentcomponents of a vibration assembly may be contained within differentcavities. For example, in one embodiment, battery contacts 121, battery122 and motor 124 can be contained within a first cavity with gears andan eccentric weight contained within a second cavity, and a shaftextending through the interior of handle 144 to couple motor 124 to thegears and eccentric weight. In another embodiment, each of thecomponents in a vibration assembly may be contained within the samecavity. In such an embodiment, an exercise weight bar may only include asingle cavity. In yet another embodiment, weight bar 110 can include twocomplete vibration assembles (i.e., battery contacts, battery, motor,gears and eccentric weight), with one complete vibration assemblylocated in the first cavity 112 a, a second complete vibration assemblylocated in the second cavity 112 b, and one or more switcheselectrically coupled to the motors, such that a user can selectivelyactivate only one of the vibration assemblies at a time or selectivelyactivate both vibration assemblies simultaneously. One of the vibrationassemblies may also include a control for selectively reversing thedirection of rotation of the motor so that the two vibration assembliescan be selectively set to rotate in the same rotational direction or canbe selectively set to counter-rotate in opposite rotational directionsrelative to one another, thereby selectively varying the amplitude ofvibration produced.

FIG. 3 illustrates in greater detail motor 124, first gear 126, secondgear 128, and eccentric weight 130. As can be seen in FIG. 3, motor 124rotates first gear 126 about a first axis 134. First gear 126 engagessecond gear 128 such that rotation of first gear 126 causes rotation ofsecond gear 128. Second gear 128 rotates about a second axis 136. Secondaxis of rotation 136 can extend through the middle of handle 114 or itcan be offset from the middle of handle 114. Eccentric weight 130 islinked to second gear 128 such that rotation of second gear 128 aboutsecond axis 136 causes eccentric weight 130 to also rotate about secondaxis 136. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates in dashed lines a secondposition 138 of eccentric weight 130 after a 180 degree rotation fromits position in solid lines.

In order to create a vibration, the eccentric weight can have a centerof mass that is offset from the axis about which the eccentric weightrotates. For example, eccentric weight 130 can have a center of mass140. As eccentric weight 130 rotates, it creates a vibration. Thestrength and frequency of the vibration can be determined by a number ofdifferent variables, including the speed at which the eccentric weightrotates, the distance that the eccentric weight's center of mass is fromits axis of rotation, and the size of the eccentric weight.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an eccentric weight 130may be linked to and rotated directly by a motor 124 such that firstgear 126 and second gear 128 are unnecessary. In this embodiment,eccentric weight 130 would rotate about a first axis 134.

Weight bar 110 can further include a mechanism to selectively activatethe vibration assembly. The mechanism can be a button, switch, or lever.In one embodiment, the vibration assembly may be automatically activatedwhen the weight bar 110 is removed from the base member. In anotherembodiment, the handle 114 of the weight bar 110 may have contacts thatactivate the vibration assembly when a user's hand grasps the handle114.

Referring back to FIG. 1, handle 114 also includes a first weight platemount 116 a and a second weight plate mount 116 b that are configured toreceive weight plates 140. First and second weight plate mounts 116 aand 116 b can be formed as an integral pieces with handle 112 or theycan be formed as a separate pieces and later coupled to handle 112and/or first and second cavities 112 a, 112 b.

Weight plates 140 can be removably secured to first and second weightplate mounts 120 a and 120 b, such that a user can select the amount ofweight to place on weight plate mounts 120 a and 120 b. Weight plates140 may also be permanently linked to first and second weight platemounts 120 a and 120 b. In alternative embodiments, an exercise weightbar 110 may not include weight plate mounts 120 a, 120 b, or weightplates 140. In these embodiments, no additional weight may be includedin the weight bar 110, or additional weight may be included withinhandle 112, cavities 112 a, 112 b, or in another part of weight bar 110.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of base member 180. Base member 180can be shaped such that a weight bar 110 can rest on top of base member180. For example, base member 180 has a first recess 182 a that isshaped to accommodate the shape of a first cavity 112 a. Base member 180also has a second recess 182 b that is shaped to accommodate the shapeof a second cavity 112 b.

Base member 180 also includes a charging plug 184. Charging plug 184 canbe configured to mate with a charging port (e.g., 123) in order tocharge a battery (e.g., 122) within a weight bar while the weight bar isresting on the base member 180. The base member 180 can further includea cord (not shown) that plugs into an outlet to provide power to thecharging plug 184. In alternative configurations, the charging plug maybe separate from the base member such that the weight bar is notrequired to be resting on the base member in order to recharge thebattery.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that thecomponents of the vibrating weight bar system 100 may be formed from anysuitable materials. For instance, the weight bar 110 and a base member180 may be formed of metal, plastic, ceramic, rubber, foams, compositematerials, or combinations thereof. Likewise, the components may beformed by any suitable manufacturing processes. Such manufacturingprocesses may include, but are not limited to, casting, forging,extruding, molding, including blow molding and injection molding, orcombinations thereof.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The exercise weight bars of the present invention are intended toprovide an enhanced workout by creating a vibration within the weightbar. In particular, the weight bar of the present invention includes oneor more cavities that contain a vibration assembly. The vibrationassembly can include battery contacts, a battery, a motor, one or moregears, and an eccentric weight. The weight bar of the present inventioncan further include weight plate mounts that are configured to receiveweight plates. A user can select and secure to the weight bar the amountof weight that he or she desires.

The weight bar system of the present invention can also include a basemember. The base member can be shaped to receive the weight bar when itis not in use. The base member can further be configured to charge thebattery of the vibration assembly while the weight bar rests on the basemember. The weight bar can further include a button or switch for a userto selectively activate or deactivate the vibration assembly.

1. An exercise weight bar comprising: a handle having a first cavitythat at least partially defines a first interior space, a second cavitythat at least partially defines a second interior space, and alongitudinal axis; battery contacts at least partially enclosed withinthe first cavity; a motor at least partially enclosed within the secondcavity, the motor being in electrical communication with the batterycontacts; an eccentric weight at least partially enclosed within thesecond cavity, the eccentric weight being rotatably linked to the motor;wherein the first cavity is shaped to at least partially enclose abattery; wherein the eccentric weight is rotatable by the motor aboutthe longitudinal axis; and wherein the eccentric weight has a center ofmass that is radially offset from the axis of the handle.
 2. Theexercise weight bar of claim 1 wherein the handle further comprises afirst weight plate mount and a second weight plate mount.
 3. Theexercise weight bar of claim 2, wherein the first and second weightplate mounts can receive and secure one or more weight plates.
 4. Theexercise weight bar of claim 1 further comprising a battery at leastpartially enclosed within the first cavity.
 5. The exercise weight barof claim 4, wherein the battery is rechargeable.
 6. The exercise weightbar of claim 5 further comprising a charging port that is in electriccommunication with the battery.
 7. The exercise weight bar of claim 6,wherein the charging port mates with a charging plug that is positionedon a base member.
 8. The exercise weight bar of claim 1, wherein atleast a portion of the surface of the handle comprises a slip resistantgrip.
 9. The exercise weight bar of claim 1, wherein the handle isdesigned to be gripped in one hand of a user during an exercise.
 10. Aweight bar comprising: a handle having a first cavity at least partiallydefining a first interior space, and a second cavity at least partiallydefining a second interior space; and a vibration assembly comprising:battery contacts at least partially enclosed within the first cavity; amotor at least partially enclosed within the second cavity, the motorbeing in electric communication with the battery contacts; a first gearat least partially enclosed within the second cavity, the first gearbeing in mechanical communication with the motor and further beingrotatable by the motor about a first axis; a second gear at leastpartially enclosed within the second cavity, the second gear being inmechanical communication with the first gear and further being rotatableby the first gear about a second axis, wherein the second axis isgenerally parallel to and offset from the first axis; and an eccentricweight at least partially enclosed within the second cavity, theeccentric weight being linked to the second gear, wherein the eccentricweight rotates about the second axis when the second gear is rotated,and wherein the eccentric weight has a center of mass that is radiallyoffset from the second axis.
 11. The exercise weight bar of claim 10wherein the handle further comprises a first weight plate mount and asecond weight plate mount.
 12. The exercise weight bar of claim 11,wherein the first and second weight plate mounts can receive and secureone or more weight plates.
 13. The exercise weight bar of claim 10further comprising a battery at least partially enclosed within thefirst cavity.
 14. The exercise weight bar of claim 13, wherein thebattery is rechargeable.
 15. The exercise weight bar of claim 14 furthercomprising a charging port that is in electric communication with thebattery.
 16. The exercise weight bar of claim 15, wherein the chargingport mates with a charging plug that is positioned on a base member. 17.A selectively rechargeable vibrating weight bar system comprising: aweight bar having: a handle including a first cavity that at leastpartially defines a first interior space, a second cavity that at leastpartially defines a second interior space, and a longitudinal axis; avibration assembly comprising: a battery at least partially enclosedwithin the first cavity; a charging port in electric communication withthe battery such that the battery can be recharged without being removedfrom the first cavity; a motor at least partially enclosed within thesecond cavity, the motor being in electric communication with thebattery; and an eccentric weight at least partially enclosed within thesecond cavity, the eccentric weight being rotatable by the motor aboutthe longitudinal axis, wherein the eccentric weight has a center of massthat is radially offset from the axis of the handle; a base memberconfigured to support the weight bar while the weight bar is not beingused in a strength training exercise, the base member having a chargingplug that is configured to mate with the charging port when the weightbar is resting on the base member such that the battery can be rechargedwhile the weight bar rests on the base member.
 18. The exercise weightbar of claim 17 wherein the handle further comprising a first weightplate mount and a second weight plate mount.
 19. The exercise weight barof claim 18, wherein the first and second weight plate mounts canreceive one or more weight plates.
 20. The exercise weight bar of claim17, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the handle comprises aslip resistant grip.